The Lebanese political scene is experiencing a heightened pace regarding a serious breakthrough in the presidential election file and the open confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel. Politically, this week is expected to witness movements from the pillars of the five-member committee in various directions, aiming to narrow the gaps among the Lebanese factions. This could lead to opening the Parliament hall for deputies to convene a session to elect the president, either through open rounds or consecutive open sessions, as agreed upon with Speaker Nabih Berri.
In this context, two sources—one Lebanese parliamentary and one senior Western diplomatic—revealed to "Al-Anbaa" that influential figures in the U.S. administration have conveyed to several Lebanese deputies from different factions, particularly those belonging to the resistance axis, the U.S. rejection of a candidate completely aligned with the resistance reaching Baabda Palace. However, they conveyed positive sentiments regarding the Americans' acceptance of a president that the resistance, particularly the Shiite duo, would be reassured by. This proposal includes adding several names to the shortlist now under the five-member committee’s purview.
According to the sources, the aim of the U.S. proposal is to ensure the exclusion of the main candidate of the resistance (former Minister Suleiman Franjieh) and the potential to achieve a breakthrough regarding the acceptance of the main candidate from the opposition forces, namely Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, though this may be challenging. The sources spoke of a genuine struggle to reach a consensus president who does not provoke any of the factions, while also maintaining firmness in managing both internal and external affairs. These two qualities are available in two individuals on the shortlist of the five-member committee, according to "Al-Anbaa."
